Personal directory services with directed communication

ABSTRACT

Included are systems and methods for directing data. At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving a listing for a data provider, the listing including a plurality of criteria related to the data provider and receiving an indication to add at least a portion of the listing to a personal directory. Other embodiments include adding at least a portion of the listing to the personal directory and receiving an indication from the data provider to send data to the personal directory.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/924,686, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,682,994, entitled “Personal DirectoryServices with Directed Communication,” filed on Jun. 24, 2013, which isa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/681,623, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,473,562, entitled “Personal Directory Services with DirectedCommunication,” filed on Nov. 20, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/464,091, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,332,474, entitled“Personal Directory Services with Directed Communication,” filed on Aug.11, 2006, which is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/464,071, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,375,088, entitled “Customizable Personal DirectoryServices,” filed on Aug. 11, 2006, and related to U.S. application Ser.No. 11/464,077, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,335,825, entitled “PersonalDirectory Services with Presence Indication” filed Aug. 11, 2006, eachof which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

With the advent of the Internet, different forms of digitalcommunications have recently emerged. Examples of such digitalcommunications include email and instant messaging (IM). Often, usersutilize these digital communications in conjunction with an addressbook. In many scenarios, users can be given the ability to store variouscontacts in a localized address book that is available from one or morelocations. Additionally, users can create a “filtered Yellow pages,”which can allow the user to store contact information for various peopleand businesses in a centralized address book. While this functionalitycan be helpful to users, the functionality is often limited to searchand store. Users often desire the ability to easily contact the peopleand businesses in their filtered yellow pages, as well as receive datafrom those people and businesses.

Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to addressthe aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY

Included are systems and methods for directing data. At least oneembodiment of a method includes receiving a listing for a data provider,the listing including a plurality of criteria related to the dataprovider and receiving an indication to add at least a portion of thelisting to a personal directory. Other embodiments include adding atleast a portion of the listing to the personal directory and receivingan indication from the data provider to send data to the personaldirectory.

Also included are embodiments of a computer readable medium fordirecting data. At least one embodiment of a computer readable mediumincludes logic configured to receive a listing for a data provider, thelisting including a plurality of criteria related to the data providerand logic configured to receive an indication to add at least a portionof the listing to a personal directory. Other embodiments include logicconfigured to add at least a portion of the listing to the personaldirectory and logic configured to receive an indication from the dataprovider to send data to the personal directory.

Additionally included are embodiments of a server device for directingdata. At least one embodiment of a server device includes listing logicconfigured to receive a listing for a data provider, the listingincluding a plurality of criteria related to the data provider andindication logic configured to receive an indication to add at least aportion of the listing to a personal directory. Other embodimentsinclude addition logic configured to add at least a portion of thelisting to the personal directory and sending logic configured toreceive an indication from the data provider to send data to thepersonal directory.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of this disclosure willbe or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination ofthe following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that allsuch additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be includedwithin this description and be within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with referenceto the following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of an exemplary instant messaging networkenvironment.

FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of an exemplary local network environmentby which a user can send an instant message, similar to the environmentfrom FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary network configuration illustrating instantmessaging network components, as well as web site network components,similar to the network configuration from FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a functional diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of aclient device that may be configured to communicate via a communicationsnetwork, such as the networks from FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary display of a first user's instant messagingwindow, pursuant to the instant messaging software illustrated in FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary display of a first user's instant messagingwindow, illustrating an option to add a second user to a buddy list,similar to the display from FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary display of a second user's instant messagingwindow, providing the second user with the ability to determine whetherpresence information is exchanged with the first user, pursuant to thedisplay from FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary display of a Yellow Pages website, which can bedisplayed on the client device from FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary display of a My Yellow Pages web page, which maybe accessed from the Yellow Pages web site from FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary display of various contacts that can be storedin a My Yellow Pages web page, which may be accessed from the YellowPages web site from FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary display of various contacts that can be storedin the My Yellow Pages directory from FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary display of an interface for adding informationto a directory in response to selecting the Add to My Yellow Pagesoption from FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary display of an instant messaging interface,including contacts from the My Yellow Pages web page from FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary display of a My Yellow Pages web pageillustrating a passive advertising icon, similar to the My Yellow Pagesweb page from FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary display of a My Yellow Pages web page, furtherillustrating a passive advertising window that can be accessed via thepassive advertising icon from FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an exemplary display of an active advertisement received by afirst user, similar to the passive advertisement from FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary display of an active advertisement received by afirst user on a mobile device, similar to the display from FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an exemplary display of an administrative web page, which canbe accessed via the administrators option from FIG. 8.

FIG. 19 is an exemplary display illustrating an advertiser's ability tocreate a passive advertisement, such as the advertisement from FIG. 15.

FIG. 20 is an exemplary display illustrating an advertiser's ability tocreate an active advertisement, such as the advertisement from FIG. 16.

FIG. 21 is an exemplary display of an advertiser's instant messaginguser interface, illustrating the limited presence functionality, similarto the user's instant messaging display from FIG. 5.

FIG. 22 is an additional exemplary display of an advertiser's instantmessaging user interface, illustrating limited presence and contactfunctionality, similar to the display from FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that can be taken bya server to facilitate communication between a user and an advertiser inrelation to the My Yellow Pages display from FIG. 9.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that can be taken bya server to send data, such as an advertisement, to a user's device,similar to the flowchart from FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that can be taken bya server in creating data, such as the advertisements of FIGS. 15 and16.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that can be taken bya client device in communicating with a data provider, such as anadvertiser associated with the user's My Yellow Pages, such as displayedin FIG. 9.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that can be taken bya client device to create data, such as the advertisements from FIGS. 15and 16.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that can be taken bya data provider's client device, similar to the steps from FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that can be taken bya server in providing an Add to Contacts option for a personaldirectory, similar to the flowchart from FIG. 28.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of an exemplary network environment. Asillustrated, a plurality of users may be connected via an externalnetwork such as Internet 100 or other communications network. The usersmay access the Internet 100 via client devices 106 a (via wirelessaccess point 108 a), 106 b (via wireless access point 108 b), 106 c, and106 d. The client devices may include, for example, portablecommunication devices 106 a and 106 b, a local network 106 c and/or apersonal computer 106 d. It should be appreciated that the externalnetwork, client devices and connections illustrated in FIG. 1 are shownby way of example, but this disclosure is not limited to these examples.The disclosure may be applicable to any client device, connection, andexternal network that supports messaging and/or other communicationservices. Additionally included in this nonlimiting example is a server102 that is coupled to a data storage unit 104.

To initiate an instant messaging session, a user may activate instantmessaging client software that is stored on the user's client device 106a. Activation of the instant messaging client software can facilitate aconnection request with the server 102, which may be a dedicated instantmessaging server. The server 102 can then authenticate the user via anyof a number of authentication techniques including, but not limited totechnologies related to a user identification (USERID) and password andvarious biometric authentication processes. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the authentication process includes the server receivingdata (such as a USERID and password) and comparing that data with datastored on data storage 104 (data storage logic, database, and/orauthentication server). If data submitted by the user matches the datastored in data storage 104, the user can be authenticated and grantedaccess to instant messaging services.

Once the user has been authenticated, the user can send an instantmessage to any of his or her contacts (e.g., persons to whom the usercommunicates). According to an exemplary embodiment, the user can sendan instant message to anyone who has an account with the server 102. Ifthe user knows the desired recipient's account name, handle, or instantmessage identification (IMID) associated with the server 102, the usercan send an instant message to that recipient. In many circumstances,the user will have the user's contacts saved on instant messaging clientsoftware or on the server 102 such that the user does not have tore-enter the account name each time the user wishes to send an instantmessage.

Additionally, the server 102 can keep track of the various users thatare currently logged onto the server and provide presence informationregarding the user's contacts. Thus, if a user wishes to send an instantmessage to a recipient, the server 102 can send information as towhether that contact is currently logged onto the server. Upon receivingpresence data related to the user's contacts, the user can then send aninstant message to a recipient (whose presence is known), therebybeginning an instant messaging chat session. While the server 102 canmonitor presence data for each user associated with the server 102,other implementations can provide that logic on user device 106determines the user's presence. The user's client device 106 can thencommunicate this data to the server 102 for transmission to other users.

In at least one instant messaging environment, each message sent betweenthe user and the contact can be communicated through the server 102. Insuch a scenario, the user at client device 106 a can compose and send aninstant message that is directed from the user's client device 106 a tothe wireless access point 108 a, and then to the Internet 100. Themessage can then be sent to the server 102 back through the Internet 100to the recipient's client device 106 b. Other embodiments can providethat the server 102 initiate a communication between users, however oncethe communication is established, the server 102 can be removed from thecommunication such that the users can communicate directly.

Additionally, while some instant messaging environments have a dedicatedinstant messaging server (or servers), others may use general purposedevices of varying capabilities to manage instant messaging traffic aswell as perform other tasks. Further, while this nonlimiting examplediscusses a proprietary instant messaging environment, one should notethat this disclosure also contemplates an environment utilizing auniversal instant messaging protocol, or a communications environmentthat facilitates communication across a plurality of different instantmessaging services using a plurality of different instant messagingprotocols.

Also included in the nonlimiting example of FIG. 1 is a web host 108.Web host 108 can be configured to provide a web site to users via anexternal network, such as the Internet 100. As a nonlimiting example, auser, such as a user operating client device 106 d can receive data fromweb host 108 via the Internet 100. The web host can include a webserver, application server, or other device (or any permutation thereof)to provide the desired information efficiently.

FIG. 2 is a functional diagram of an exemplary local networkenvironment, similar to the environment from FIG. 1. The local networkenvironment of FIG. 2 can be a home network, a business network or othernetwork configured to facilitate communication between users. Asillustrated, client devices 106 e, 106 f, 106 g are coupled to a localrouter 210. This coupling may be wire-line or wireless. Though depictedas personal computers, the client devices 106 e, 106 f, and 106 g may beimplemented with any device capable of accessing the Internet 100 andsupporting instant messaging in a local network. The local router 210 iscoupled to local server 202 a and local server 202 b. The local servers202 a, 202 b (collectively referred to as local server 202) are coupledto local data storage 204. Though two local servers are shown in FIG. 2for ease of illustration, it will be appreciated that more or fewer thantwo local servers may be used. The local servers 202 are also coupled toan external network, such as the Internet 100.

In this exemplary networking environment a user located at client device106 e may desire to send an instant message to a recipient located atclient device 106 g. In the networking environment of FIG. 2, the userat client device 106 e can compose and send the instant message viaclient software stored on the client device 106 e. The message can thenbe sent from the client device 106 e to the local router 210. The localrouter can then send the message to one of the local servers 202. Thelocal server 202 can communicate the message back through the localrouter 210 to the intended recipient located at client device 106 g.

As the nonlimiting example of FIG. 2 illustrates, in some embodimentscommunication of data can be internal to the local network 106 c,without the use of an external network, such as the Internet 100. Asstated above, such a configuration may be desirable for a business thatwishes to facilitate communication between employees, but not to theInternet community at large. Such a configuration may use its owninstant messaging protocol, a universal instant messaging protocol, or aproprietary instant messaging protocol.

Additionally, while the configuration of FIG. 2 facilitatesintra-network instant messaging, this configuration can also facilitateinter-network instant messaging, similar to the configuration fromFIG. 1. In such a scenario, a user operating client device 106 f cansend and receive messages to a contact that is not located within thelocal network of FIG. 2. The message can be sent through local router210 to local server 202. From local server 202, the message can be sentto an external network, such as the Internet 100.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the message can then be sent from the network106 c to server 102 (which is not part of the local network in FIG. 2),and then back through the Internet 100 to client device 106 b. Thecontact that is operating client device 106 b can then reply through thesame channels. More specifically, the reply message can be sent from 106b through the Internet 100 to the server 102, back through the Internet100, to the network 106 c (to FIG. 2), to the local server 202, throughthe local router 210, and back to the user at client device 106 f.

One should note that the configuration of FIG. 2 is a nonlimitingexample. Components can be added or removed (or both) without divergingfrom the scope of this disclosure. Additionally, although theconfigurations from FIGS. 1 and 2 are illustrated as various examples ofinstant messaging configuration, these are not meant to be limiting.More specifically, in at least one configuration, instant messages sentbetween unrelated users need not use the Internet 100. Two users thatare engaged in an instant messaging chat session on the same InternetService Provider (ISP) may not require the use of the Internet 100 tofacilitate the communication. As the ISP can link a user to the Internet100, two users operating on the same ISP may simply use the ISP tofacilitate the communication. In such a scenario, the configuration ofFIG. 2 becomes more applicable, even for users who are not otherwiserelated. Additionally, if a company has multiple offices, use of theInternet 100 for instant messaging communications may be desired, andmay be implemented similar to the configuration of FIG. 1.

Additionally, as one of ordinary skill in the art will understand,access to web site data or similar information can be available to usersof client devices 106 e, 106 f, and 106 g. While this data may beavailable locally (within the network configuration of FIG. 2), as onewill understand, this data can be available to any of a plurality ofusers via an external network, such as the Internet.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary network configuration illustrating instantmessaging network components, as well as web site network components,similar to the network configuration from FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG.3, client devices 106 h, 106 i, and 106 j are coupled to externalnetwork 100. Users at these devices can communicate via instantmessaging, email, etc. via communications network 302. Thecommunications network 302 can provide communications services to theusers at client devices 106. As a nonlimiting example, communicationsnetwork 302 can include a dedicated instant messaging server forproviding instant messaging capabilities between users. As illustratedin FIGS. 5-7, two users can communicate, and otherwise exchangeinformation (such as presence data). Coupled to the communicationsnetwork is data storage 304, which can be configured to store datarelated to the communications network 302. The data storage 304 caninclude user-related data, however this is not a requirement. One shouldnote that other embodiments of communications network 302 include one ormore instant messaging servers, one or more email servers, as well asother network components that can be configured to facilitatecommunications between users.

Also included in the nonlimiting example of FIG. 3 is a web host 310,similar to the web host from FIG. 1. Coupled to the web host is datastorage 312, which can store data associated with the hosted web site.Coupled to external network 100 is a billing network 308.

In operation, a user operating client device 106 h can facilitate aninstant messaging session with a user operating client device 106 i. Insuch a scenario, the instant messaging portion of client communicationssoftware 499 (as shown in FIG. 4) can log the user onto the instantmessaging portion of communications network 302 through, for example, aJabber® construct. The client communications software 499 can thenretrieve and display the user's contacts' presence information.Additionally, if a user coupled to client device 106 h wishes to view awebsite, such as a My Yellow Pages web site, the user can access theInternet using a web browser portion of client communications software499. The browse portion of client communications software 499 canfacilitate display of the web site data on the user's client device 106h. Additionally, as the user selects entries to save in the user's MyYellow Pages, the web host 310 facilitates storage of that data on datastorage.

As discussed in more detail below, if a user desires to automaticallycontact a representative related to one of the entries in the user's MyYellow Pages, the user can be provided with the ability to automaticallylaunch an instant messaging session. In such a scenario, the browserportion of client communications software 499 can receive data from webhost 310 indicating that an instant messaging session with the selectedbusiness will begin. At that point, the instant messaging portion ofclient communications software 499 can launch the instant messaginginterface with a communications request to the business client device106 j. The business client device 106 j can include an instant messaginglogic with similar functionality to the user's instant messaging logic,however, the instant messaging logic associated with the business clientdevice 106 j can be configured to prevent communication of the user'spresence data. More specifically, while the user and the business cancommunicate via instant messaging, the business's instant messaginglogic can be configured to prevent the display of presence informationrelated to the user.

In another nonlimiting example, the business associated with businessclient device 106 j may desire to send data, such as advertisements, tovarious users, such as users associated with client devices 106 h and106 i. While the description that follows is directed to the directeddelivery of advertisements as an example, it should be appreciated thatother types of data may be delivered in a similar manner. In such ascenario, the business client device 106 j can facilitate transmissionof a request to the web host. In addition to that request, data can alsobe sent to billing network 308 to document the charges associated withthe requested service. Once the request for sending advertisements isreceived by the web host, the web host can facilitate creation ortransmission (or both) of the requested advertisement.

FIG. 4 is a functional diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of aclient device that may be configured to communicate via a communicationsnetwork such as the networks from FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. Although awire-line client device is illustrated, this discussion can be appliedto any device. According to an exemplary embodiment, in terms ofhardware architecture, as shown in FIG. 4, the client device 106includes a processor 482, volatile and nonvolatile memory 484, a displayinterface 494, data storage 495, and one or more input and/or output(I/O) device interface(s) 496 that are communicatively coupled via alocal interface 492. The local interface 492 can include, for examplebut not limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wirelessconnections. The local interface 492 may have additional elements, whichare omitted for simplicity, such as controllers, buffers (caches),drivers, repeaters, and receivers to enable communications. Further, thelocal interface may include address, control, and/or data connections toenable appropriate communications among the aforementioned components.The processor 482 may be a hardware device for executing software,particularly software stored in volatile and nonvolatile memory 484.

The processor 482 can be any custom made or commercially availableprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor amongseveral processors associated with the client device 106, asemiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), a macroprocessor, or generally any device for executing softwareinstructions. Examples of suitable commercially availablemicroprocessors are as follows: a PA-RISC series microprocessor fromHewlett-Packard® Company, an 80×86 or Pentium® series microprocessorfrom Intel® Corporation, a PowerPC® microprocessor from IBM®, a Sparc®microprocessor from Sun Microsystems®, Inc., or a 68xxx seriesmicroprocessor from Motorola® Corporation.

The volatile and nonvolatile memory 484 can include any one orcombination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory(RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)) and nonvolatile memory elements(e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.). Moreover, the memory 484 mayincorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storagemedia. Note that the volatile and nonvolatile memory 484 can have adistributed architecture, where various components are situated remotefrom one another, but can be accessed by the processor 482.

The software in volatile and nonvolatile memory 484 may include one ormore separate programs, each of which includes an ordered listing ofexecutable instructions for implementing logical functions. In thenonlimiting example of FIG. 4, the software in the volatile andnonvolatile memory 484 may include client communications software 499,as well as an operating system 486. Client communications software 499can include email logic, instant messaging logic, web browsing logic,Voice over IP (VoIP) logic, web conferencing logic, or other logic (orany permutation thereof). Additionally, while client communicationssoftware 499 is illustrated as a single logic block, this is but anonlimiting example, as client communications logic can include one ormore discrete logical components that can be implemented in software,hardware, firmware, etc.

Similarly, a nonexhaustive list of examples of suitable commerciallyavailable operating systems is as follows: (a) a Windows® operatingsystem available from Microsoft® Corporation; (b) a Netware® operatingsystem available from Novell®, Inc.; (c) a Macintosh® operating systemavailable from Apple® Computer, Inc.; (d) a UNIX operating system, whichis available for purchase from many vendors, such as theHewlett-Packard® Company, Sun Microsystems®, Inc., and AT&T®Corporation; (e) a LINUX operating system, which is freeware that isreadily available on the Internet 100; (f) a run time Vxworks® operatingsystem from WindRiver® Systems, Inc.; or (g) an appliance-basedoperating system, such as that implemented in handheld computers orpersonal data assistants (PDAs) (e.g., PalmOS® available from Palm®Computing, Inc., and Windows CE® available from Microsoft® Corporation).The operating system 486 essentially controls the execution of othercomputer programs and provides scheduling, input-output control, fileand data management, memory management, and communication control andrelated services.

A system component embodied as software may also be construed as asource program, executable program (object code), script, or any otherentity comprising a set of instructions to be performed. Whenconstructed as a source program, the program is translated via acompiler, assembler, interpreter, or the like, which may or may not beincluded within the volatile and nonvolatile memory 484, so as tooperate properly in connection with the Operating System 486.

The Input/Output devices that may be coupled to system I/O Interface(s)496 may include input devices, for example but not limited to, akeyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, camera, proximity device, etc.Further, the Input/Output devices may also include output devices, forexample but not limited to, a printer, display, etc. Finally, theInput/Output devices may further include devices that communicate bothas inputs and outputs, for instance but not limited to, amodulator/demodulator (modem; for accessing another device, system, ornetwork), a radio frequency (RF) or other transceiver, a telephonicinterface, a bridge, a router, etc.

If the client device 106 is a personal computer, workstation, or thelike, the software in the volatile and nonvolatile memory 484 mayfurther include a basic input output system (BIOS) (omitted forsimplicity). The BIOS is a set of software routines that initialize andtest hardware at startup, start the Operating System 486, and supportthe transfer of data among the hardware devices. The BIOS is stored inROM so that the BIOS can be executed when the client device 106 isactivated.

When the client device 106 is in operation, the processor 482 isconfigured to execute software stored within the volatile andnonvolatile memory 484, to communicate data to and from the volatile andnonvolatile memory 484, and to generally control operations of theclient device 106 pursuant to the software. Software in memory, in wholeor in part, is read by the processor 482, perhaps buffered within theprocessor 482, and then executed.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary display of a first user's instant messagingwindow, pursuant to the instant messaging logic illustrated in FIG. 4.As illustrated, the desktop display 570 can include a “START” option572, an “INSTANT MESSAGING” taskbar menu item 574, an “EMAIL” taskbarmenu item 576, an “INTERNET” taskbar menu item 578, and a Date and Timeindicator 580. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, thetaskbar menu items can be linked to various software programs that arecurrently open on the client device 106. As a nonlimiting example, theclient communications software 499, which is facilitating display ofinstant messaging window 582, relates to the taskbar menu item 574. Byselecting the “INSTANT MESSAGING” taskbar menu item 574, the first usercan display and remove the instant messaging window 582 from the desktopdisplay 570.

As also illustrated, the instant messaging window 582 includes a textprompt 584 for the first user to enter a message. The input box 584 canbe configured to display both outgoing messages and incoming messages.As such, a history (thread) of the current instant messaging session canbe documented. A contact can be chosen by selecting the checkbox next tothe desired contact (or contacts) in the contact section 586 of theinstant messaging window 582. Additionally in contact section 586 is apresence icon associated with each contact that is present (logged ontothe instant messaging server 102). As discussed above, the server 102can determine which users are currently logged onto the server and candisplay this information to contacts of that user. In this nonlimitingexample, the contacts “Leigh,” “Rebecca,” and “Louise” are currentlylogged onto the server, while “Andrew” is not logged onto the server.While the nonlimiting example of FIG. 4 includes presence icons for“present” and “not present” other presence statuses can also beprovided.

Additionally included in the instant messaging window 582 are a“PRESENCE” option 594, an “OPTIONS . . . ” option 588, a “CONTACTS”option 590, and a “SEND” option 592. The “PRESENCE” option 594 canprovide the first user with the ability to determine presence settings.The “OPTIONS . . . ” option 588 can provide the user access to variousoptions related to the display of the instant messaging window 582,sending options, receiving options, etc. The “CONTACTS” option 590, onthe other hand can provide the first user with data related to the firstuser's contacts and the contacts' presence. The “SEND” option 592 is anaction option that executes sending of a message to the instantmessaging recipient or recipients.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary display of a first user's instant messagingwindow, illustrating a window to add a second user to a buddy list,similar to the display from FIG. 5. As an exemplary embodiment, thefirst user can access the CONTACTS option 590 from FIG. 5. By selectingthis option, the first user can add a contact to the contacts section586. Upon selecting the CONTACTS option 590, the “add a contact” window680 is displayed. The “add a contact” window 680 includes text (or otherdata) for instructing the user to add a contact. In this nonlimitingexample, the instruction indicates that the first user is to enter aninstant messaging, email, or other address associated with the desiredcontact. Upon entering the address, the first user can select the submitoption. If the first user changes his or her mind, the first user canselect the cancel option. If the user does not know the desiredcontact's address, the first user can search by selecting the searchoption.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary display of a second user's instant messagingwindow, providing the second user with the ability to determine whetherpresence information is exchanged with the first user, pursuant to thedisplay from FIG. 6. As illustrated in this exemplary embodiment, uponthe first user adding the second user as a contact, the second user'sinstant messaging user interface 782 provides the second user with acontact request window 786. The contact request window 786 indicates tothe second user that the first user has added the second user as acontact. Additionally, the contact request window 786 provides thesecond user with the option of providing the first user with presencedata related to the second user. If the second user permits the firstuser the ability to view the second user's presence data, the seconduser can select the yes option. If the second user does not wish toallow the first user access to the second user's presence data, thesecond user can select the no option. If the second user desires moreinformation regarding the first user, the second user can select thesearch option. Additional options that can be included are the abilityfor the second user to add the first user as a contact. Regardless,there is generally a reciprocation of presence access when contacts arecreated.

In the description that follows, terminology such as “Yellow Pages” isused to refer to a listing of business contacts and advertisers. Itshould be appreciated, however, that the intention is not limited tobusiness contacts and advertisers but may also be applicable to othercontacts (e.g., personal contacts and data providers).

FIG. 8 is an exemplary display of a “Yellow Pages” website, which can bedisplayed on the client device from FIG. 4. While the display depicts a“Yellow Pages” website for ease of illustration, it should beappreciated that the website may be any website containing similarcontent as that depicted and described with reference to FIG. 8. Asillustrated, the exemplary web browser interface 890 is displaying the“Yellow Pages” web site. Included in this display is a “search theyellow pages” option 892, a “search my yellow pages” option 894, and an“administrators” option 896.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary display of a “My Yellow Pages” web page, whichmay be accessed from the Yellow Pages web site from FIG. 8. Again, theterm “My Yellow Pages” is used for illustrative purposes. It should beappreciated that the web page accessed may be any web page containingsimilar content to that depicted in and described with reference to FIG.9. The exemplary web browser interface 990 includes a plurality of tabs(which can be user-created or created by the web site) for organizingthe user's “My Yellow Pages.” In at least one exemplary embodiment, theuser can create a Food tab for those entries related to food, a medicaltab for those entries related to medicine, an automotive tab for thoseentries related to automobiles, and a search tab for searching entriesthat are currently part of the My Yellow Pages listings. Additional tabsmay be created for further organizing the user's entries.

As illustrated in the nonlimiting example of FIG. 9, the My Home tab isselected and provides the user with options related to furthercustomizing the user's My Yellow Pages. In this nonlimiting example, theoptions provided include “add a category” option 996, “amend a category”option 994, “add a listing” option 999, and “amend a listing” option998.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary display of various contacts that can be storedin a My Yellow Pages web page, which may be accessed from the YellowPages web site from FIG. 8. As illustrated in this exemplary embodiment,web browser interface 1090 includes the tabs included in FIG. 9, withthe food tab 1092 being selected. Under the food tab, “Beth's SpaghettiShop” 1098 a is included, as well as “Sara's Calzones” 1098 b.Associated with Beth's Spaghetti Shop 1098 a is a presence iconassociated with that business. More specifically, the web site canmonitor the instant messaging presence of a representative of Beth'sSpaghetti Shop. If a representative is currently online (and present), auser who has included Beth's Spaghetti Shop in the user's My YellowPages can contact the representative. In such a scenario, the user canselect the “contact” option 1096 a, which can facilitate activation ofthe user's instant messaging client (which can be associated with clientcommunications software 499). The user's instant messaging client canthen facilitate an instant messaging session with the business's instantmessaging client.

Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 10, Sara's Calzones 1098 b is notcurrently present on instant messaging, as indicated by presence icon1094 b. As such, the contact option 1096 b is inactive. While thisillustrates that the user cannot currently contact Sara's Calzones, asone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, other options can beprovided, such as permitting the user to send an email, make a phonecall (PSTN based, VoIP based, or other), or otherwise contact Sara'sCalzones.

One should note that in at least one embodiment, the My Yellow Pages webpage may be configured such that if information (and/or advertisements)related to an advertiser is amended and/or updated, this change can alsobe reflected in the web browser user interface 1090. Additionally, in atleast one embodiment, the user may be provided with the ability toarrange the contacts in any order. Additionally, in at least oneembodiment, the user may be provided with the ability to arrange thecontacts in any order as well as amend and/or remove a contact byselecting the edit option 1999 a, 1999 b.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary display of various contacts that can be storedin the My Yellow Pages directory from FIG. 9. As illustrated in thisnonlimiting example, browser interface 1190 includes a plurality ofyellow page listings that may be displayed by selecting the “search theyellow pages” option from FIG. 9. Upon selecting this option from FIG.9, the user can be provided with a search form (not shown). The searchform can include a search field, an address field, a business typefield, a proximity field, or other criteria (or any permutation) thatcan facilitate location of the desired entry. Depending on the searchcriteria utilized, one or more entries can be displayed, as illustratedin FIG. 11.

As shown, FIG. 11 includes two entries 1198 a, 1198 b that includebusiness name, address, and telephone number. Other information can alsobe displayed, such as email address, instant messaging address, hours ofoperation, logos, trademarks, and other information. Additionallyincluded in this nonlimiting example is an “add to my yellow pages” 1194a, 1194 b option for each entry. By selecting the “add to my yellowpages” option 1194 a, 1194 b, at least a portion of the informationdisplayed for the entries 1198 a, 1198 b can be sent to the My YellowPages portion of the web site (and in at least one embodiment stored indata storage 312). Depending on the particular configuration, uponselecting the “add to my yellow pages” option 1194 a, 1194 b, the usercan be provided with further options for customizing the added entry.More specifically, the user can be provided with options such as anoption to select the folder for the current entry, an option for storingonly a portion of the data, an option for creation of a new folder ofthe current entry, etc.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary display of an interface for adding informationto a directory in response to selecting the Add to My Yellow Pagesoption from FIG. 11. More specifically, in response to selecting the Addto My Yellow Pages option 1194 a, an Add to My Yellow Pages window 1290can be displayed to the user. The Add to My Yellow Pages window 1290 caninclude any of a plurality of information related to the selectedadvertiser from FIG. 11. While the listing from FIG. 11 may displaycertain data, more or less data may be displayed in window 1290.Additionally, each advertiser may have different types of data displayedin window 1290.

In this nonlimiting example, window 1290 includes a name option 1292, anaddress option 1294, a telephone number option 1296, an email option1298, and an instant messaging address option 1299. Each of the options1292, 1294, 1296, 1298, and 1299 include display information, a checkbox, as well as an edit option. The user can select/deselect a checkboxto determine the information inserted into the user's My Yellow Pagesdirectory associated with this contact. Additionally, by selecting anedit option, the user can determine the displayed information for aparticular field. As a nonlimiting example, if a user knows that BigTony's Steaks has moved from their listed address, the user can changethis data by selecting the edit option. Additionally, since no emailaddress is listed for this particular advertiser, the user can enter anemail address if one is known.

Also included in window 1290 is an Add to Folder . . . option 1293. TheAdd to Folder . . . option 1293 allows the user to determine one or morefolders that the user desires this advertiser to be listed. Morespecifically, referring to FIG. 10, the user may be presented with theability to select one or more of the categories under which to store BigTony's Steaks. Additionally, the user may also be provided with theability to create a new category under which to store this new contact.Window 1290 also includes an Add Other Data option 1295. The Add OtherData option 1295 can allow the user to add additional criteria for thecontact. As a nonlimiting example, if the user has access to drivingdirections to Big Tony's Steaks, the user may select the Add Other Dataoption 1295 and create a new category for this data. The new criteriamay be information that the user knows, or information that may beresearched by the user. Upon adding new criteria and/or information, thenew criteria can be listed in window 1290.

One should note that while window 1290 provides the user with an optionto edit information related to a contact being added, as discussedabove, the user's My Yellow Pages directory may also be configured toautomatically update information related to contacts as that informationchanges. Additionally, while an edit option is provided in the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 12, one should also note that some embodiments canprovide the user with the ability to amend information related to anadvertiser in the user's My Yellow Pages directory (and/or remove theadvertiser from the user's My Yellow Pages directory), as shown in FIG.10.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary display of an instant messaging interface,including contacts from the My Yellow Pages web page from FIG. 9. In anexemplary embodiment, the instant messaging display 582, the user'scontacts can include an instant messaging address associated with Beth'sSpaghetti 1392 a and an instant messaging address associated with Sara'sCalzones 1392 b. In at least one nonlimiting example, upon selectingcontact option 1096 a, from FIG. 10, the user can be provided with anoption to add the selected business as one of the user's contacts. Insuch a scenario, the user can be provided with the business' presencedata, without having to reciprocate presence data to the selectedbusiness.

Other embodiments can temporarily include the selected business (viaoption 1096) in the user's contact list. More specifically, uponselecting option 1096 a, the user's instant messaging client canactivate, with Beth's Spaghetti as a contact. The user can begin acommunications thread with Beth's Spaghetti and upon termination of theinstant messaging session with Beth's Spaghetti, the instant messagingclient can remove Beth's Spaghetti as a contact.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary display of a My Yellow Pages web pageillustrating a passive advertising icon, similar to the My Yellow Pagesweb page from FIG. 9. In this exemplary embodiment, web browserinterface 1490 includes a display of the user's My Yellow Pages display,under food tab 1492. As discussed above, Beth's Spaghetti and Sara'sCalzones are displayed. Also included in this nonlimiting example is apassive advertisement icon 1494 related to Beth's Spaghetti Shop. Asdiscussed above, the web host associated with the My Yellow Pageswebsite can provide advertisers with the ability to includeadvertisements with their listings. In at least one nonlimiting example,Beth's Spaghetti Shop has arranged for a passive advertisement to becomeassociated with their listing. A passive advertisement can take the formof an icon or other identifier that is displayed (or presented) to theuser with the listing.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary display of a My Yellow Pages web page, furtherillustrating a passive advertising window that can be accessed via thepassive advertising icon from FIG. 14. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 15, upon selecting the passive advertisement icon 1494 (from FIG.14), the user is presented with advertising window 1588. The user canalso be provided with a plurality of options including a print option, aclose option, and other options, such as a save option (not shown).

FIG. 16 is an exemplary display of an active advertisement received by afirst user, similar to the passive advertisement from FIG. 15. In thisexemplary embodiment, an advertiser (who is listed in the user's MyYellow Pages) has facilitated the propagation of an instant message tothe user's instant messaging client. As compared with the passiveadvertisements illustrated in FIG. 15, which provides an option for theviewer to access advertisement data, the active advertisement of FIG. 16is a targeted communication that is sent to a user. As illustrated, theactive advertisement window 1688 can also include options such as print,close, save (not shown), etc.

FIG. 17 is an exemplary display of an active advertisement received by afirst user on a mobile device, similar to the display from FIG. 16. Morespecifically, as discussed above, an advertiser that is listed in theuser's My Yellow Pages directory can send active advertisements to theuser. In at least one embodiment, the user can have a cell phone, PDA,and/or other mobile device 1725 that may be configured to receive theseactive advertisements. In such a scenario, the user may be provided withadvertisements such as window 1788 from an advertiser. The advertisementmay include a graphical display, audio, and/or other signifier.Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the mobile device 1725 maysimply provide a notification display that a new advertisement hasarrived. The user may then access the advertisement via the mobiledevice 1725 and/or another device.

FIG. 18 is an exemplary display of an administrative web page, which canbe accessed via the administrators option from FIG. 8. As illustrated inthis exemplary embodiment, the administrative page includes an addpicture option 1892 a, a passive ads option 1892 b, an other optionsoption 1892 c, a my contract option 1892 d, an active ads option 1892 e,and a change info option 1892 f. The add picture option 1892 a allowsthe advertiser to add various data to the advertiser's listing. Morespecifically, by selecting the add picture option 1892 a, the advertisercan be provided with the ability to add pictures, logos, audio, video,and other enhancements to the advertiser's listing. While each add-onoption can be associated with a price, this is not a requirement.Depending on the particular agreement the advertiser has reached withthe web host, these options can be priced any of a plurality of ways.

Also included in nonlimiting example of FIG. 18 is a my contract option1892 d. The my contract option 1892 d can allow the advertiser to viewand potentially amend the current contract the advertiser has with theweb host. More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, the advertisercan view the contract duration and options (as well as other data)associated with the advertiser's current contract. The advertiser canalso be provided the ability to extend the current contract, as well asview other plans, options, and pricing.

The passive ads option 1892 b provides the ability for the advertiser tocreate a passive advertisement for association with the advertiser'slisting. As described in more detail below, the user can be providedwith the ability to determine the layout and data in the passiveadvertisement, as well as determine the duration of the advertisement.Similarly, the active ads option 1892 e provides the advertiser with theability to create and manage an active advertisement that can be sent tousers with the advertiser's listing in their My Yellow Pages directory.As discussed in more detail below, the active ads option 1892 e caninclude the ability to determine text, video, audio, as well as otheroptions that can be included with the active advertisement.

The other options option 1892 c can provide the advertiser with abilityto determine various miscellaneous options related to the advertiser'slisting. More specifically, the advertiser can be provided with theability to change display options, color options, font options, andother options that are not provided elsewhere. Similarly, the changeinfo option 1892 f can provide the advertiser with the ability to changeinformation in the advertiser's listing. More specifically, theadvertiser can select this option to change the address of the listing,the name, phone number, email address, instant messaging address, etc.

FIG. 19 is an exemplary display illustrating an advertiser's ability tocreate a passive advertisement, such as the advertisement from FIG. 15.As illustrated, web browser interface 1990 includes a passiveadvertisement text prompt 1994 to provide an advertiser with the abilityto determine the text that will be included with the passiveadvertisement. The submit option 1992 a can submit the createdadvertisement to the web host, as well as facilitate communication ofbilling information related to the created advertisement to the billingnetwork 308. The back option 1992 d can take the advertiser back to theprevious page. The prices option 1992 b can provide the advertiser withvarious price plans associated with a passive advertisement. Theduration option 1992 e can provide the advertiser with the ability toview and select a desired duration for running the passiveadvertisement. The other options option 1992 c can provide theadvertiser with the ability to change other options associated with theselected advertisement. Such options could include font, color, shading,pictures, video, audio, size, etc. The view ad option 1992 f can providethe advertiser with the ability to view the created advertisement priorto purchasing the advertisement.

FIG. 20 is an exemplary display illustrating an advertiser's ability tocreate an active advertisement, such as the advertisement from FIG. 16.As illustrated, web browser interface 2090 includes an activeadvertisement text prompt 2094 to provide an advertiser with the abilityto determine the text that will be included with the activeadvertisement. The submit option 2092 a can submit the createdadvertisement to the web host, as well as facilitate billing informationrelated to the created advertisement to the billing network 308. Theback option 2092 d can take the advertiser back to the previous page.The prices option 2092 b can provide the advertiser with various priceplans associated with a passive advertisement, as well as pricingrelated to various options. The duration option 2092 e can provide theadvertiser with the ability to view and select a desired duration forrunning the passive advertisement, as well as a frequency of delivery.More specifically, while many advertisers may desire to send a singleadvertisement to users based on a present status of the advertiser'sbusiness (i.e., 20% off if a purchase is made in the next two hours),other advertisers may prefer to send regular advertisements to users.

The other options option 2092 c can provide the advertiser with theability to change other options associated with the selectedadvertisement. Such options could include font, color, shading,pictures, video, audio, size, etc. Depending on the particularadvertisement being created, the selection of options may vary. The viewad option 2092 f can provide the advertiser with the ability to view thecreated advertisement prior to purchasing the advertisement.

One should note that other options can also be provided to theadvertiser in relation to a desired active advertisement. In at leastone exemplary embodiment, the advertiser can be provided with an optionto provide the advertisement to users within predefined geographicallocation. More specifically, if a particular branch of the advertiser ishaving a sale for a short amount of time, the advertiser may desire thatthe active advertisement only be provided to users within a certaingeographical area (such as a 2 mile radius). Similarly, depending on theconfiguration, this geographic filter can be provided based on actuallocation of the user at that time (present geographical location) orgeographical location of the registered account (billing address).Similarly, variations of duration of the advertisements can be madebased on geographic location.

FIG. 21 is an exemplary display of an advertiser's instant messaginguser interface, illustrating the limited presence functionality, similarto the user's instant messaging display from FIG. 5. As discussed above,in an exemplary embodiment, the advertiser's client device 106 j caninclude an instant messaging client (which can be associated with clientcommunications software 499) with certain presence restrictions. Morespecifically, in at least one nonlimiting example, the advertiser'sinstant messaging client can communicate with users who initiate acommunications session via the My Yellow Pages web site. In such ascenario, the advertiser's presence can be available to the user via theMy Yellow Pages website or via the user's instant messaging client (orboth). However, the users' presence may be unavailable to theadvertiser.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21, an advertiser's instantmessaging interface 2182 includes a text prompt, as well as displayoption 2188, options option 2190, contacts option 2192, and send option2194. Also included is a contacts section 2186 that can include a listof contacts of the business. As illustrated, at least one nonlimitingexample can provide that the contacts in contacts section 2186 includeemployees of the business, as well as their current presence status.Other embodiments can also include contacts (and their presence status)of other entities outside of the corporate structure of the business.

Also included in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21 is a customercontacts section 2196, which can include a list of those users whoinclude the advertiser in the users' My Yellow Pages. As illustrated,presence information related to these users is not available. As one ofordinary skill in the art will understand, by providing a list of userswho include the advertiser in the users' My Yellow Pages, the advertisercan monitor the popularity of this advertisement, as well as a costbenefit analysis of the expenditure.

In addition to the current customers list displayed in customer contactssection 2196, the advertiser can also be provided with various reportsrelated to their Yellow Page listing. In an exemplary embodiment, anadvertiser can be provided with data related to users who have includedthe advertiser's listing in their “My Yellow Pages,” as well as reportsrelated to duration that users keep the advertisers listing, the users'location, etc. This data can be provided through the instant messagingclient, however this is not a requirement. Other nonlimiting examplescan include access to the reports via the administrative portion of theYellow Pages web site, as well as via email, postal mail, and otherforms of data communication.

FIG. 22 is another exemplary display of an advertiser's instantmessaging user interface, illustrating limited presence and contactfunctionality, similar to the display from FIG. 21. As discussed above,in an exemplary embodiment, the advertiser's client device 106 j caninclude an instant messaging client (which can be associated with clientcommunications software 499) with certain presence restrictions. Morespecifically, in at least one nonlimiting example, the advertiser'sinstant messaging client can communicate with users who initiate acommunications session via the My Yellow Pages web site. In such ascenario, the advertiser's presence can be available to the user via theMy Yellow Pages website or via the user's instant messaging client (orboth). However, the users' presence may be unavailable to theadvertiser.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 22, an advertiser's instantmessaging interface 2282 includes a text prompt, as well as displayoption 2288, options option 2290, contacts option 2292, and send option2294. Also included is a contacts section 2286 that can include a listof contacts of the business. As illustrated, at least one nonlimitingexample can provide that the contacts in contacts section 2286 includeemployees of the business, as well as their current presence status.Other embodiments can also include contacts (and their presence status)of other entities outside the business's instant messaginginfrastructure.

Also included in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 22 is a customercontacts section 2296, which does not provide any information regardingthe advertiser's customers. Such a configuration may be desirable tothose users who wish to keep their information private. Morespecifically, in at least one nonlimiting example, the users can beprovided with an option (on the users' instant messaging client, on theMy Yellow Pages web site, or both) to determine the information that iscommunicated to the advertisers. Similarly, the users can also selectwhether an advertiser can contact the user with an active advertisement.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that can be taken bya server to facilitate communication between a user and a data provider,such as an advertiser, in relation to the My Yellow Pages display fromFIG. 9. As illustrated in this exemplary embodiment, the first step isfor a web host (such as web host 310) to receive a request to view MyYellow Pages (block 2330). Upon receiving the request, the web host cansend the requested My Yellow Pages data to the user's client device 106(block 2332). The web host can then determine presence data related toat least one advertiser or data provider (block 2334). As indicatedbelow, while in this nonlimiting example the presence data is determinedafter the user accesses the My Yellow Pages web site, this is anonlimiting example. In at least one embodiment, presence data relatedto the advertisers can be constantly or periodically monitored.

After the user accesses the My Yellow Pages data (which can includepresence data associated with at least one advertiser), the web host canreceive input from the user indicating a desire to contact at least oneof the advertisers in the user's My Yellow Pages (block 2336). Uponreceiving the request, the web host can send data to the advertiser ordata provider related to this request (block 2338), as well as send datato the user's client device 106 related to the request (block 2340).

In at least one exemplary embodiment, code associated with the My YellowPages web site (which can include HTML, JavaScript, etc.) can beconfigured to instruct the user's client device 106 to activate theuser's instant messaging client upon selection of the “contact” option(see FIG. 10, 1096). Data may also be sent from the web host to theadvertiser's instant messaging client, indicating that the user isinitiating an instant messaging session. Other embodiments may simplyactivate the user's instant messaging client with the desired data toautomatically initiate an instant messaging session with the desiredadvertiser.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that can be taken bya server 102 to send data, such as an advertisement, to a user's device,similar to the flowchart from FIG. 23. The first step in thisnonlimiting example is for a server 102 to receive a listing from a dataprovider, such as an advertiser (block 2430). Upon receiving a listing,the server 102 can receive a user request to add at least a portion ofthe listing to a personal directory, such as a My Yellow Pages directory(block 2432). The server 102 can then add at least a portion of thelisting to the personal directory (block 2434). The server 102 can thenreceive an indication from the data provider to send data to thepersonal directory (block 2436). The server 102 can then facilitatedisplay of the data at the user's client device (block 2438).

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that can be taken bya server in creating data, such as the advertisements of FIGS. 15 and16. According to this exemplary embodiment, the web host can firstreceive a request from an advertiser to view the Yellow Pagesadministrative data (block 2530). Upon receiving the request, the webhost can send the requested data to the advertiser (block 2532). The webhost can then receive an advertiser request to create an advertisement(block 2536) and determine whether the requested advertisement ispassive or active (block 2538).

If the web host determines that requested advertisement is passive, theweb host can receive the advertisement data (block 2540). Morespecifically, in at least one nonlimiting example, the web host canreceive text, graphics, audio, video, etc. to create the advertisement.Additionally, the web host can receive various other data includingduration, fonts, size, as well as other options related to the requestedadvertisement. Next, the web host can create an option on theadvertiser's Yellow Page listing that provides user access to thecreated advertisement (block 2542). As discussed above, upon selectingthe option (which can take the form of a button, icon, or otherindicator), the user can be presented with the created advertisement, aswell as options to print, save, etc. While not discussed above, the webhost can also receive data associated to the type and appearance of theoption (icon, button, emoticon, etc.) from the advertiser. Once theadvertisement is created, the web host can send billing data related tothe created advertisement to a billing server, such as billing server308 (block 2544).

If, on the other hand, the web host determines that the desiredadvertisement is active (decision block 2538), the web host can receivethe advertisement data from the advertiser (block 2546). Similar toabove, the advertisement data can include any of a plurality of dataassociated with the desired advertisement, such as text, video, audio,method of dissemination (email, instant messaging, VoIP, etc.), as wellas options such as whether to deliver messages based on presence of theuser on an account, presence of a user on a device, etc. Morespecifically, in at least one embodiment, the web host can determinepresence of a user on an account (such as an instant messaging account),and if that user is present when the advertisement is set todisseminate, the advertisement will be sent to that account. If the useris not present, the web host can look for another account associatedwith that user, queue the advertisement for later delivery, or simplyrefrain from sending the advertisement to the user. Similarly, devicepresence can be provided as an option. More specifically, in at leastone exemplary embodiment, the web host can determine if a user ispresent on his or her home computer. If so, the web host can send theadvertisement to the home computer. If the user is not present on thehome computer, the web host can determine whether the user is present onthe user's mobile telephone, and if so, send the advertisement to themobile telephone. Other device specific presence options can similarlybe provided, such as sending the advertisement to all devices, specificdevices, or any option in between.

Once the web host has received advertisement data, the web host candetermine which users list this advertiser in their My Yellow Pages(block 2546 and 2548). The web host can then determine which of thoseusers desire to receive such advertisements (block 2550). As discussedabove, the users can be presented with an option as to whether the userdesires to receive active advertisements from this and otheradvertisers, and under what circumstances. Once the web host has madethese determinations, the web host can send the advertisements to thoseusers (block 2552). The web host can then send billing data related tothat advertisement to a billing server (such as billing server 308), asillustrated in block 2554.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that can be taken bya client device in communicating with a data provider, such as anadvertiser associated with the user's My Yellow Pages, such as displayedin FIG. 9. According to this exemplary embodiment, the first step inthis exemplary flowchart is for the user's client device 106 to receiveuser input to display My Yellow Pages (block 2630). The user's clientdevice 106 can then send a request to My Yellow Pages for displaying therequested data (block 2632). Next, the user's client device 106 canreceive the requested data from My Yellow Pages (block 2634). The user'sclient device 106 can then receive user input to contact an advertiserlisted in the My Yellow Pages directory (block 2636). The user's clientdevice 106 can then facilitate activation of an instant messaging clientin response to the user input and web page information (block 2638). Theuser's client device 106 can then connect with the advertiser's instantmessaging client (block 2640).

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that can be taken bya client device to create data, such as the advertisements from FIGS. 15and 16. More specifically, in the nonlimiting example of FIG. 27, thefirst step is for the advertiser's client device 106 to receive arequest from the advertiser to view the Yellow Pages administrative data(block 2730). The advertiser's client device 106 can then send a requestto the web host for the administrative data (block 2732). Next, theadvertiser's client device 106 can receive the requested data from theweb host (block 2734). Upon receiving the requested data from the webhost 310, the advertiser's client device can receive input related tocreating an advertisement (block 2736). The input can be related towhether the advertisement is a passive advertisement or an activeadvertisement, as well as duration the advertisement is to be displayed.Other data that can be sent from the advertiser's client device 106 tothe web host includes data associated to method of delivery,presentation of the advertisement, as well as other data. Theadvertiser's client device can then send advertisement data to the webhost 310 (block 2738).

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that can be taken bya data provider's client device, similar to the steps from FIG. 27. Asillustrated in this exemplary embodiment, the first step is to receive acommunications request from a user (block 2830). As discussed above, auser can access the My Yellow Pages web site, and can access the contactoption 1096 (FIG. 10). Access of the contact option 1096 can facilitateactivation of the user's instant messaging client, which can send acommunications request to the advertiser's instant messaging client.Upon receiving the communications request, the advertiser's instantmessaging client can send presence information to the user's instantmessaging client (block 2832). As discussed above, the advertiser'spresence information can be sent to the user via the My Yellow Pages website, or via the instant messaging client. Additionally, theadvertiser's presence data can be sent to the user before, after, orduring (or any permutation) initiation of the instant messaging session.

The next step is to prevent display of the user's presence data (block2834). Prevention of the user's presence data can occur in any of aplurality of different ways. In at least one nonlimiting example, theadvertiser's instant messaging client can be configured to simplyrefrain from displaying presence data when a communications requestoccurs as a result of selecting the contact option 1096. Otherembodiments can provide that the instant messaging server (such ascommunications network 302) receive data indicating that anycommunication request to the advertiser that results from user selectionof the contact option 1096 not include presence information related tothe user. In such a scenario, the advertiser's instant messaging clientwould not receive the user's presence data. Other configurations canprovide that the presence data is never sent.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps that can be taken bya server in providing an Add to Contacts option for a personaldirectory, similar to the flowchart from FIG. 28. More specifically, thefirst step in the nonlimiting example of FIG. 29 is for a server 102 toreceive a user request to view at least one listing related to a dataprovider, such as an advertiser (block 2930). The server 102 can thenprovide a display of at least a portion of the listing (block 2932). Theserver 102 can then provide a user option to add at least a portion ofthe listing to a personal directory, such as the My Yellow Pagesdirectory (block 2934). The server 102 can then receive user inputrelated to adding at least a portion of the listing to the personaldirectory (block 2936).

At this point, the server can facilitate an association of the listingto the user's personal directory. The association can include a pointer(and/or other indicator) at the user's directory to display informationrelated to this data provider, however this is not a requirement.Additionally, other options can be provided, such as the ability to editand delete a listing, as described above.

One should note that while one or more of the embodiments discussedabove includes instant messaging, these are nonlimiting examples. Morespecifically, in at least one embodiment, Multimedia Messaging Systems(MMS) and/or multimedia services may also be utilized to perform one ormore of the functions discussed herein. Similarly, other messagingservices may also be utilized, depending on the particular embodiment.Additionally, while organization of data may be described and/orillustrated herein, this is also a nonlimiting example, as otherorganizations, searches, and/or interfaces may be utilized. As anonlimiting example, “GoldMine User's Guide,” “GoldMine What's New inGoldMine 6.7,” and “GoldMine Integration Services for Microsoft Outlook”include exemplary embodiments of organizations, searches, and/orinterfaces that may be implemented, and are incorporated by reference intheir entireties.

The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in hardware,software, firmware, or a combination thereof. At least one embodimentdisclosed herein may be implemented in software and/or firmware that isstored in a memory and that is executed by a suitable instructionexecution system. If implemented in hardware, one or more of theembodiments disclosed herein can be implemented with any or acombination of the following technologies: a discrete logic circuit(s)having logic gates for implementing logic functions upon data signals,an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) having appropriatecombinational logic gates, a programmable gate array(s) (PGA), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), etc.

One should note that the flowcharts included herein show thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of a possible implementationof software. In this regard, each block can be interpreted to representa module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or moreexecutable instructions for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s). It should also be noted that in some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder and/or not at all. For example, two blocks shown in succession mayin fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved.

One should note that any of the programs listed herein, which caninclude an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementinglogical functions, can be embodied in any computer-readable medium foruse by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus,or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system,or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. Inthe context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” can be anymeans that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport theprogram for use by or in connection with the instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device. The computer readable medium can be, forexample but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical,electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, ordevice. More specific examples (a nonexhaustive list) of thecomputer-readable medium could include an electrical connection(electronic) having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette(magnetic), a random access memory (RAM) (electronic), a read-onlymemory (ROM) (electronic), an erasable programmable read-only memory(EPROM or Flash memory) (electronic), an optical fiber (optical), and aportable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM) (optical). In addition,the scope of the certain embodiments of this disclosure can includeembodying the functionality described in logic embodied in hardware orsoftware-configured mediums.

One should also note that conditional language, such as, among others,“can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise,or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generallyintended to convey that certain embodiments include, while otherembodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps.Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply thatfeatures, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or moreparticular embodiments or that one or more particular embodimentsnecessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input orprompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included orare to be performed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of this disclosure. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) withoutdeparting substantially from the spirit and principles of thedisclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to beincluded herein within the scope of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving, via a computingdevice, a listing from a directory listing subscriber, the listingcomprising business contact information related to the directory listingsubscriber; receiving, at the computing device from a user, a firstrequest to search a plurality of listings, the plurality of listingscomprising the listing from the directory listing subscriber; inresponse to receiving the first request, providing, by the computingdevice, results of a search of the plurality of listings performed basedon the first request, wherein the results comprise the listing from thedirectory listing subscriber; receiving, via the computing device fromthe user, a second request for the listing; providing, by the computingdevice, the listing to the user; receiving, via the computing devicefrom the user, a selection of portions of the business contactinformation to add to a personal directory associated with the user,wherein the selection further comprises user modifications to theportions of the business contact information, and wherein the personaldirectory is stored on a device associated with a directory listingservice provider; adding, by the computing device to the personaldirectory, the portions of the business contact information and the usermodifications to the portions of the business contact information,wherein adding the portions of the business contact information and theuser modifications to the portions of the business contact informationto the personal directory comprises adding the portions of the businesscontact information and the user modifications to the portions of thebusiness contact information to a plurality of folders associated withthe personal directory; receiving, via the computing device, a firstindication from the directory listing subscriber to send data associatedwith the directory listing subscriber to the personal directory, thedata comprising an advertisement related to the directory listingsubscriber; providing, by the computing device, the advertisement to adevice associated with the user; receiving, via the computing device, aselection of the advertisement; in response to receiving the selectionof the advertisement, providing, by the computing device, a plurality ofoptions associated with the advertisement, wherein the plurality ofoptions comprises a print option, a close option, and a save option;sending, by the computing device, billing data related to theadvertisement to a billing system, wherein the billing data related tothe advertisement comprises charges to the directory listing subscriber,and wherein the charges are associated with providing the advertisementto the device associated with the user.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising facilitating display of a second indication relatedto the data on the device.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the secondindication comprises a link configured to display the data.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the data is further associated with amessaging address.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the data furthercomprises a message sent to the messaging address.
 6. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the messaging address comprises an instant messagingaddress.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receivingadditional information relating to the listing from the user; and addingthe additional information to the personal directory in association withthe portions of the business contact information.
 8. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructionsstored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processorto perform operations comprising: receiving a listing from a directorylisting subscriber, the listing comprising business contact informationrelated to the directory listing subscriber; receiving, from a user, afirst request to search a plurality of listings, the plurality oflistings comprising the listing from the directory listing subscriber;in response to receiving the first request, providing, by the computingdevice, results of a search of the plurality of listings performed basedon the first request, wherein the results comprise the listing from thedirectory listing subscriber; receiving, from the user, a second requestfor the listing; providing the listing to the user; receiving aselection of portions of the business contact information to add to apersonal directory associated with the user, wherein the selectionfurther comprises user modifications to the portions of the businesscontact information, and wherein the personal directory is stored on adevice associated with a directory listing service provider; adding theportions of the business contact information and the user modificationsto the portions of the business contact information to the personaldirectory, wherein adding the portions of the business contactinformation and the user modifications to the portions of the businesscontact information to the personal directory comprises adding theportions of the business contact information and the user modificationsto the portions of the business contact information to a plurality offolders associated with the personal directory; receiving a firstindication from the directory listing subscriber to send data associatedwith the directory listing subscriber to the personal directory, thedata comprising an advertisement related to the directory listingsubscriber; providing the advertisement to a device associated with theuser; receiving a selection of the advertisement; in response toreceiving the selection of the advertisement, providing a plurality ofoptions associated with the advertisement, wherein the plurality ofoptions comprises a print option, a close option, and a save option; andsending billing data related to the advertisement to a billing system,wherein the billing data related to the advertisement comprises chargesto the directory listing subscriber, and wherein the charges areassociated with providing the advertisement to the device associatedwith the user.
 9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 8, having further computer-readable instructions stored thereonthat, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to performfurther operation comprising displaying a second indication related tothe data on the device.
 10. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 9, wherein the second indication comprises a linkconfigured to display the data.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 8, wherein the data is further associated with amessaging address.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 11, wherein the data further comprises a message sent tothe messaging address.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 11, wherein the messaging address comprises an instantmessaging address.
 14. A computer system comprising: a processor; and amemory storing a program comprising instructions that, when executed bythe processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:receiving a listing from a directory listing subscriber, the listingcomprising business contact information related to the directory listingsubscriber, receiving, from a user, a first request to search aplurality of listings, the plurality of listings comprising the listingfrom the directory listing subscriber, in response to receiving thefirst request, providing, by the computing device, results of a searchof the plurality of listings performed based on the first request,wherein the results comprise the listing from the directory listingsubscriber, receiving, from the user, a second request for the listing,providing the listing to the user, receiving a selection of portions ofthe business contact information to add to a personal directoryassociated with the user, wherein the selection further comprises usermodifications to the portions of the business contact information, andwherein the personal directory is stored on a device associated with adirectory listing service provider, adding the portions of the businesscontact information and the user modifications to the portions of thebusiness contact information to the personal directory, wherein addingthe portions of the business contact information and the usermodifications to the portions of the business contact information to thepersonal directory comprises adding the portions of the business contactinformation and the user modifications to the portions of the businesscontact information to a plurality of folders associated with thepersonal directory, receiving a first indication from the directorylisting subscriber to send data associated with the directory listingsubscriber to the personal directory, the data comprising anadvertisement related to the directory listing subscriber, providing theadvertisement to a device associated with the user, receiving aselection of the advertisement, in response to receiving the selectionof the advertisement, providing a plurality of options associated withthe advertisement, wherein the plurality of options comprises a printoption, a close option, and a save option, and sending billing datarelated to the advertisement to a billing system, wherein the billingdata related to the advertisement comprises charges to the directorylisting subscriber, and wherein the charges are associated withproviding the advertisement to the device associated with the user. 15.The computer system of claim 14, wherein the program comprises furtherinstructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto perform further operations comprising displaying a second indicationrelated to the data on the device.
 16. The computer system of claim 15,wherein the second indication comprises a link configured to display thedata.
 17. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the data is furtherassociated with a messaging address.
 18. The computer system of claim17, wherein the data further comprises a message sent to the messagingaddress.
 19. The computer system of claim 17, wherein the messagingaddress comprises an instant messaging address.
 20. The computer systemof claim 14, wherein the program comprises further instructions that,when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform furtheroperations comprising: receiving additional information relating to thelisting from the user; and adding the additional information to thepersonal directory in association with the portions of the businesscontact information.